Improvement in the manufacture of fertilizers



path. can.

tllnited saw ,JUAN YsIoRo DIAZ, or HAVANA, ISLAND or CUBA.

Letters Patent No. 100,871, dated llfarch 15, 1870.

IMPROVEMENT m- THnMANoPAca-man or ram-Inmates.

\ The Schedule referred to in these Letters Patent and making part of the same.

To all whom it may concern 7 Be it known that I, J UAN Ysmno DIAZ, of Havana, in the Island of Ouba,have invented-a new and useful Universal Fertilizer, and process for manufacturing the same; and I do hereby declare that the following specification is a true and exact descrip tion thereof. p

My invention consists in disintegrating and concentratmg into a convenient; form the fertilizing properties, well known to largely-exist in all kinds of such refuse as is common in cities, including every kind of socalled waste matter, whether it be spent matter from the manufactories, the common flowage of fsewers, the contents of privy-vaults, ashes, cinders,sweepings of streets and stables, slaughter-house refuse, carcasses ofanimals, or kitchen refuse, all of which may or may notbe combined inthe production of the desired result.

The process of disintegrating and concentrating is described as follows:

A series of three tanks or sets of tanks or reservoirs are requisite. One somewhat elevated, another next below and in front of that, and a third upon the surface of the round. v

The fluidsbeing separated from the solids of the matter in hand, aswell as may be, are placed in the first or upper tank. To these fluids I add an equal quantityofsea-water, when it is attainable; in other localities;practically similar solutions artificially prepared should be used.

Thesolidsare then thrown in the second tank in layers. Such as are most solid should be mixed with a quantitypf qnicklime, in proportions of, say, one twenty-fift-h of the bulk, and the whole placed between those solids more easily disintegrated.

As a top layer, pulverized charcoal is used, for the purpose of retaining, in a great degrcrysuch valuable gases as-wonld otherwise escape.

In the bottom. of the frontof-the Iupper tank are openings, capable of beinggradnated or stopped eutirely, through which the fluids are permittedto'fiow into the top of the second tank, thus lnoistening its contents.

After beingthus moistened the mass is permitted to ferment, care being taken that it does not pass the point in which the matter divides into small particles,

soluble to a considerable degree in water, and also into gaseous emanatious to a greater extent than can be readily absorbed by the charcoal.

Broad, shallow;open evaporating-vats are placed in thereto.

the fluids of the evaporating-vats will, if the ice be removed, serve a purpose similar to the evaporation of the sun during the summer. The vats should be provided with adjustable roofs or covers to protect them fi'om the rain. 7

'When the fermenting-vats shall cease to yield the disintegrated matter in semi-solution, the tanks should be cleared and the operation repeated. Such vegetable matter as might still remain should be dried and calcined, and the ashes added to the disintegrated products. Bones ,should be ground and also added If, during the process of evaporation; it is found that the gaseous vapors areescaping too freely, I recommend that such antiseptics as sulphate of iron or hydrochloric acidbe thrown iii-suitable quantities into the vats. I In locations wher'e'ecouomy therein may be properly observed, small quantities of sulphate of iron, sulphate of lime, or chloride of manganese may be used to great advantage in serving to retain volatile and valuable gases.

Having thus described my invention,

I claimas new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States-- 1. The process, substantially as herein described,

which consists in treating with sea-water, or equivalent solution, all kinds of refuse matter containing fertilizing properties, and in the fermentation, disintegration, and concentration of thesame, for the purposes specified.

2. As a new article of manufacture, theimproved Universal Fertilizer, resulting from the process herein described. 7

' JUAN YSIDRO DlAZ.

Witnesses:

.Ino. SMI'rHnY, SALVADOR G. Gonnz 

